Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Lakeland, FL covered by United Healthcare

You’re smart, self-aware, and successful in many areas of life—but relationships are where you struggle.

I help clients who feel stuck in toxic or unfulfilling relationships rebuild their self-trust, break free from people-pleasing, and develop healthy boundaries—so they can start creating relationships that feel emotionally safe, respectful, and real.

Are you questioning yourself constantly, second-guessing your needs, feeling anxious when you speak up, and guilty when you say no? You may have done the inner work—but you still find yourself repeating the same patterns in love. I'm passionate about helping my clients build more fulfilling relationships.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and retired nurse with more than 25 years of experience in healthcare, social work, and behavioral health. Born in Texas and raised in Brazil and Chile, I’ve spent much of my life moving between cultures. I provide therapy in English, Spanish, and Portuguese and bring that multicultural perspective into my work.

I work with adults navigating anxiety and overthinking, depression, relationship difficulties, narcissism, grief and loss, caregiver stress, aging, identity concerns, and major life transitions. I also provide LGBTQ+ affirming therapy and help who want to create a meaningful life on their own terms and figure out what you want the next chapter of their life to look like.

I have a particular interest in helping people who have spent years being the dependable one—the partner, parent, caregiver, professional, or person everyone else turns to—and are beginning to ask, “What about me?”

I received both my Bachelors and Masters degrees from Central Michigan University. I have worked in hospital settings as well as private practice. I have had great success with the virtual format and am thankful for such ease for my clients to have sessions without the trouble of travel. I work primarily with teens and women, working to build skills to manage a variety of snuggles.

I have been a counselor for more than 30 years. I remain passionate about making a difference in the lives of others and believe that genuine caring is an essential element to an effective counseling relationship. Over the years I have worked with clients with significant trauma and loss. I consider it a privilege to stand with another individual as he or she resolves great pain. I specialize in treating clients with trauma, relationship issues, and borderline personality disorder.

Do you feel broken, beaten down by life's circumstances, trapped in your current existence, or tethered to a life you never wanted? Life can be stressful and overwhelming to ​say the least. You can feel stuck in life and lose hope of ever having the life you dreamed of before the path you were on was changed. Maybe a loved one died, you got pregnant, you lost your job, or you moved away from all your support system to a place where you feel truly alone. Or hell, the whole world gets hit with a sudden virus that hits pandemic heights.

Ever feel like every time you take a step forward, life knocks you down a flight of stairs? Now not only do you have to get back up, but the next step forward is uphill. You may be experiencing difficulty adjusting to the changes in your life. This can be exhausting and very tempting to give up on those dreams you had and begin settling for what life is now. You can feel trapped in a life you hate, doing a job you wake up everyday dreading to go to, and surrounding yourself with people you don't really care for.

What if the things that used to help you relax are not helping anymore and you cannot simply stop? You can feel powerless and stuck in a cycle that will not release you. Sometimes if feels like you can see the world crumbling around you but you cannot stop it. It can feel hopeless. No one deserves to live that way.

​What if I told you it didn't have to be that way? What if I told you that your dreams were still achievable but maybe need some adjustments in order to reach them? Are you ready to break the chains binding you to this unhappy existence? Do you wish to feel free of the stress and anxiety that keeps you feeling stuck?

It is true! You can still achieve your dreams! There may need to be a few modifications but you CAN be HAPPY! I will help guide you as you forge a new path to your dream life. Many times the circumstances in your life that have trapped you are molehills compared to the obstacle you can become to your own success. It didn't happen willingly, but you have begun to tell yourself, "I don't deserve my dream life. It is not possible to achieve it. It's just too much for me to handle. I will get to it later."

Eventually putting your dreams on the back burner leads you to have resentments and regrets. Let's change that trajectory together. We will identify the problematic thought patterns that have sabotaged your dreams and held you hostage. We will challenge them with truth and reality grounding you in the present moment and looking for the things you are grateful for in this life. We will then work together to change those thought patterns to new ones that encourage and create success. We will build you a support system that builds you up, provides your wind to soar, and cheers you on even when you are not feeling like you can rise to the challenge. YOU WILL FLY!!!​

Are you ready to break free, spread your wings, and soar? Call me for a free consultation! Let's set you on your journey to a life you enjoy!

My name is Cora McNeese Nelson and I am an Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Florida. I provide counseling services via telehealth which is a fancy way of saying my services all occur through video sessions, phone calls, or messaging plans. This can offer some flexibility in scheduling as neither of us have to commute to an office and I can offer services later in the evening than typical business hours. There are several benefits to telehealth services, but these services are not appropriate for everyone or every situation. Feel free to do a free consultation to find out if telehealth services with me are a good fit for you.